Marhaban ya Ramadhan

My family and I have been 6 times conducting fasting of Ramadhan in Malaysia, which are in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. Ramadhan of this year was a somewhat special, since it closed to the GE-14, the 14th General Election of Malaysia 2018, and witnessed the dramatic change of Government from former Barisan Nasional (BN) party led by Datuk Seri Najib Razak to Pakatan Harapan (PH) party led by Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. It was dramatic change because UMNO-led administration has been in office since 1957, and this is the first time UMNO was defeated by oposition Pakatan Harapan.

In 2018, the fasting of Ramadan is in May-June, which is somewhat hot in Malaysia. But, it has no significant influence to the fasting overall. UTM offers a discrete working hour for this Ramadhan, and I have chosen working hour of 7:30-16:00 (Sun-Wed) and 7:30-15:00 (Thursday). The consequence of this selection is I feel sleepy in office for wake-up at 3:00am, and take sahur, Fajar prayer and continue to work at 7:30am. Getting home at 4:30pm continue to be teacher of my son at 5:00pm until iftar at 7:15pm, non-stop.

Anyway, Marhaban ya Ramadhan … I wish you all happy Ramadhan to all muslim readers.